Training aid apparatus and method for swimming

ABSTRACT

A training aid apparatus for swimming includes a cord with first and second ends and first, second, and third cord retention devices positioned on the cord. Each of the cord retention devices includes a through hole that receives the cord twice so as to define first, second, and third loops in the cord. The second and third loops may be secured to the legs of a swimmer such that when the swimmer kicks during swimming, the training aid apparatus limits the maximum vertical and horizontal distances that the legs can move apart from each other. Thus, the training aid apparatus encourages proper kicking form during swimming. The cord retention devices are adjustable so that the limitations imposed on the swimmer&#39;s legs can be modified for different swimming strokes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/391,310, filed on Oct. 8, 2010 (pending), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to muscle training devices and methods, and more particularly to an apparatus and method that assist with training proper swimming technique.

BACKGROUND

Proper kicking technique is an important aspect of swimming. In competitive swimming, it is essential for the swimmer to use the proper kicking technique to optimize his or her speed in the water. For optimal kicking motion, the swimmer must kick his or her legs vertically, i.e., up and down, a predetermined distance and while simultaneously maintaining a desired horizontal spacing between his or her legs.

Training a swimmer to always kick a predetermined vertical distance and simultaneously keep his or her legs at a specific horizontal distance can be challenging, especially as the swimmer must also focus concurrently on proper arm stroke and breathing technique. Training the proper kicking technique would be more efficient and effective if the swimmer had a training device that he or she could wear while swimming to reinforce the proper kicking technique.

There is a need, therefore, for an apparatus that addresses these and other problems associated with the process of learning a proper swimming technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a training aid apparatus for swimming includes a cord with first and second ends. The apparatus also includes a first cord retention device having a first through hole, a second cord retention device having a second through hole, and a third cord retention device having a third through hole. Each of the through holes receives the cord passing through twice so as to form first, second, and third loops of cord delimited respectively by the first, second, and third cord retention devices. The first cord retention device is disposed on the cord between the second and third cord retention devices so as to define a first intermediate cord section between the first and second cord retention devices and a second intermediate cord section between the first and third cord retention devices. When the second and third loops are secured to each leg of a swimmer, the training aid apparatus limits movements of each leg relative to the other.

In one aspect, the training aid apparatus also includes a first interference member disposed on the cord at the first loop. The first interference member is sized to prevent the first loop from slipping through the first through hole in the first cord retention device. The apparatus also includes a second interference member disposed at the first end of the cord, the second interference member being sized to prevent the first end from slipping through the second through hole in the second cord retention device. The apparatus also includes a third interference member located at the second end of the cord, the third interference member being sized to prevent the second end from slipping through the third through hole in the third cord retention device.

In another aspect, the second and third cord retention devices may be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the size of the second and third loops. In this regard, the second and third loops may be locked at different positioned on a swimmer's legs to modify the maximum vertical distance that one leg can kick from the other leg. The first cord retention device may also be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the length of the first and second intermediate cord sections. To this end, the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart may be modified by adjusting the positioning of the first cord retention device.

In yet another aspect, the cord is an elastic cord composed of a core of natural rubber and a nylon outer casing. The training aid apparatus further includes a retaining member coupled to the first loop and configured to be coupled to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs.

In another embodiment, a method for training a swimmer includes using a training aid apparatus having a cord with first and second ends, a first cord retention device having a first through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a first loop of cord, a second cord retention device having a second through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a second loop of cord, and a third cord retention device having a third through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a third loop of cord. The method includes securing a first leg of the swimmer into the second loop with the second cord retention device, and securing a second leg of the swimmer into the third loop with the third cord retention device. The method further includes limiting the maximum vertical distance and the maximum horizontal distance between the first and second legs of the swimmer while the swimmer swims.

In one aspect, the method further includes adjusting the second and third cord retention devices to change the position on the first and second legs of the swimmer at which the second and third loops are secured, thereby modifying the maximum vertical distance that the first leg can kick away from the second leg during swimming. The method also includes adjusting the first cord retention device to change a length of first and second intermediate cord sections located between the respective cord retention devices, thereby modifying the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart during swimming. In another aspect, the method also includes coupling a retaining member to the first loop and coupling the retaining member to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a training aid apparatus for swimming according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top detailed view of one of the loops formed by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detailed view of the cord retention device of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of another of the loops formed by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 secured to a swimmer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention described herein is directed to a device that assists a swimmer with learning a proper kicking technique. Specifically, the invention helps the swimmer kick his or her legs the proper vertical distance while also maintaining the horizontal spacing between his or her legs.

In accordance with the principles of the invention, a training aid 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Closer views of specific components of the training aid 10 are shown in FIGS. 2-4. The training aid 10 includes a unitary piece of cord 12. While the cord 12 is shown as one unitary cord, the cord 12 could be formed from multiple pieces. In this embodiment the cord 12 is elastic cord commonly known as bungee cord. The bungee cord 12 has a core of natural rubber (not shown) and a nylon outer casing or cover 14 (see FIG. 3). Chlorine and other pool chemicals do not adversely affect the structural integrity of the bungee cord 12. The diameter of the cord typically ranges from ⅛″ to ¼″, with ⅛″ being an advantageous diameter.

The training aid 10 further includes three cord retention devices 16, also referred to herein as cord locks 16. These cord locks 16 help retain or hold the elastic cord 12 in a desired configuration. With specific reference to FIG. 3, the cord lock 16 includes an outer housing 30 with a through hole 34 and a plunger 32 with a through hole 36. The through holes 34, 36 are large enough to receive two sections of the bungee cord 12. The plunger 32 is spring biased relative to the housing 30 such that the through hole 36 in the plunger 32 is pushed out of alignment with the through hole 34 of the outer housing 30. The out-of-alignment through holes 34, 36 apply pressure to the two sections of bungee cord 12 disposed inside the through holes 34, 36 and keeps the two sections of bungee cord 12 from moving relative to each other or the cord lock 16.

The ends 40, 42 of the bungee cord 12 comprise only the nylon cover 14 and not the core giving the ends 40, 42 a slightly reduced diameter relative to the remainder of the bungee cord 12. The core is removed from the ends 40, 42 to facilitate threading the ends 40, 42 through the through holes 34, 36 of outer housing 30 and plunger 32. After the ends 40, 42 are threaded through the cord lock 16, the ends are inserted into interference members in the form of retaining beads 44, 46 and a knot is tied in the ends 40, 42 to retain the beads 44, 46. The retaining beads 44, 46 prevent the ends 40, 42 from unintentionally slipping through the through holes 34, 36 in the cord lock 16. An additional interference member in the form of a bead 48 is positioned about midway along the length of the bungee cord 12 to prevent that section of bungee cord 12 from slipping through the through holes in the cord lock 16 in that section. It will be understood that other types of interference members may be used in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the training aid 10 includes loops 50, 52. In use, loops 50, 52 are placed around the swimmers legs. The exact location of where the loops are placed along the swimmer's legs is dependent upon the type of swim stroke (e.g., freestyle, breast stroke, butterfly, backstroke) the swimmer intends to practice. The further the loops 50, 52 are positioned up the leg, the more the swimmer can vertically move the lower portion of his or her legs. For instance, the loops 50, 52 would be positioned somewhere near the swimmer's ankles when the swimmer wants to practice freestyle or backstroke (see FIG. 5). The size of the loops 50, 52 may be adjusted to accommodate different sized legs. To adjust the size of the loops 50, 52, the swimmer pushes plunger 32 into housing 30 so that the through holes align or nearly align, thereby relieving pressure on the sections of bungee cord 12 disposed within the through holes. With the pressure relieved, bungee cord 12 can be pulled through one side or the other of the cord lock 16 to either increase or decrease the size of the loops 50, 52.

The horizontal spacing between the swimmer's legs can be controlled by adjusting the size of loop 60. The maximum distance T between the swimmer's legs where the training aid 10 is secured will be approximately the sum of the length of Section A and Section B of the bungee cord 12 (see FIG. 1). Section A refers to a first intermediate cord section located between the cord lock 16 that delimits the loop 60 from the cord lock 16 that delimits the loop 52, and Section B refers to a second intermediate cord section located between the cord lock 16 that delimits the loop 60 from the cord lock 16 that delimits the loop 50. As the size of loop 60 increases, the distance T between swimmer's legs decreases as the length of Sections A and B decrease. The spring-bias of the plunger of cord lock 16 (FIG. 4) associated with loop 60 is greater than the other two cord locks 16 to insure that the portions of the cord disposed in that cord lock 16 do not move while the swimmer moves his or her legs while wearing the training aid 10.

A swimmer may use the training device 10 as he or she swims laps in a pool. Alternatively, the swimmer may use the training device 10 as a stationary trainer as shown in FIG. 5. A retaining member 80 is attached to loop 60 and to an anchoring device 82 near the edge 84 of a pool, such as a pole or even a starting block. The retaining member 80 could be any type of cord, elastic or not, so long as it is strong enough to keep the training device 10 and consequently the swimmer from moving as he or she attempts to “swim” away from the edge of the pool. For instance, the retaining member 80 could be made of bungee cord of the type from which the training aid 10 is made. The retaining member 80 may include a quick release device 86 so that the retaining member 80 may be easily attached to or removed from loop 60.

While the training aid 10 has been described for use with kicking training, the training aid 10 may also be used in water aerobics or exercises performed outside the pool. The elastic bungee cord 12 is suitable for applying a resistive force to counter a person's arm or leg motions. Thus, the training aid 10 has utility beyond simply helping a swimmer with proper kicking technique. In particular, the training aid 10 may also be used to strengthen one's muscle by applying a resistive force counter to the person's arm or leg motion.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of a specific embodiment thereof, and while this embodiment has been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features discussed herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept. What is claimed is: 

1. A training aid apparatus for swimming, comprising: a cord including first and second ends; a first cord retention device having a first through hole, the cord passing through the first through hole twice so as to form a first loop of cord delimited by the first cord retention device; a second cord retention device having a second through hole, the cord passing through the second through hole twice so as to form a second loop of cord delimited by the second cord retention device; and a third cord retention device having a third through hole, the cord passing through the third through hole twice so as to form a third loop of cord delimited by the third cord retention device, wherein the first cord retention device is disposed on the cord between the second and third cord retention devices such that a first intermediate cord section is located between the first and second cord retention devices and a second intermediate cord section is located between the first and third cord retention devices, and wherein when the second and third loops are secured to each leg of a swimmer, the training aid apparatus limits movements of each leg relative to the other.
 2. The training aid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first interference member disposed on the cord at the first loop, the first interference member being sized to prevent the first loop from slipping through the first through hole in the first cord retention device.
 3. The training aid apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a second interference member disposed on the cord at the first end, the second interference member being sized to prevent the first end of the cord from slipping through the second through hole in the second cord retention device.
 4. The training aid apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a third interference member disposed on the cord at the second end, the third interference member being sized to prevent the second end of the cord from slipping through the third through hole in the third cord retention device.
 5. The training aid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second and third cord retention devices may be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the size of the second and third loops for locking the second and third loops in position at a certain location on a swimmer's legs, thereby modifying the maximum vertical distance one leg of the swimmer can kick from the other leg of the swimmer.
 6. The training aid apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first cord retention device may be moved along the cord and re-secured to the cord to adjust the length of the first and second intermediate cord sections, thereby modifying the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart while swimming with the second and third loops secured around the swimmer's legs.
 7. The training aid apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third cord retention devices each include an outer housing with a housing through hole and a plunger with a plunger through hole, the plunger inserted into the outer housing and biased so that the plunger through hole is biased to move out of alignment with the housing through hole to thereby grip the cord passing through the housing through hole and the plunger through hole.
 8. The training aid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cord is an elastic cord.
 9. The training aid apparatus of claim 8, wherein the elastic cord is composed of a core of natural rubber and a nylon outer casing.
 10. The training aid apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a retaining member coupled to the first loop, the retaining member adapted to be coupled to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs.
 11. A method for training a swimmer with a training aid apparatus including a cord having first and second ends, a first cord retention device having a first through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a first loop of cord, a second cord retention device having a second through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a second loop of cord, and a third cord retention device having a third through hole receiving the cord twice so as to form a third loop of cord, the method comprising: securing a first leg of the swimmer into the second loop with the second cord retention device; securing a second leg of the swimmer into the third loop with the third cord retention device; and limiting the maximum vertical distance and the maximum horizontal distance between the first and second legs of the swimmer while the swimmer swims.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: adjusting the second and third cord retention devices to change the position on the first and second legs of the swimmer at which the second and third loops are secured, thereby modifying the maximum vertical distance that the first leg can kick away from the second leg during swimming.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first cord retention device is disposed on the cord between the second and third cord retention devices such that a first intermediate cord section is located between the first and second cord retention devices and a second intermediate cord section is located between the first and third cord retention devices, and the method further comprises: adjusting the first cord retention device to change the length of the first and second intermediate cord sections, thereby modifying the maximum horizontal distance that the swimmer's legs may be spaced apart while swimming with the second and third loops secured around the swimmer's legs.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising: coupling a retaining member to the first loop; and coupling the retaining member to an anchoring device to hold a swimmer in position when the second and third loops are secured to the swimmer's legs. 